Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-08

BILE Young man. He and his mother had
travelled extensively In foreign countries,
and the description of what they had
seen interested Mrs. Gay end Annie very
much. Mrs. K. SO thoroughly enjoyed
herself as time passed that she assured
Mrs. Gay that she and Ned might be
looked for every summer.
Ned was a fine reader, and many an
afternoon he and Annie passed IN the
shade of the cool grove. Grandpa Brent
became greatly interested in the young
man, and many day they took their
lines and lunch and went fishing, many
long walk they took together, and the
stalwart old man with his stately stride
ard the good-looking student became a
familiar sight to the people of the valley.
AS the weeks went by Mrs. Cry felt
worried about Annie, for she seemed
growing too fond of Ned. But her father
said: "Don't worry daughter; it Is quite
natural that Annie should like Ned's com
pany. He is pleasing lad, and will give
her new thoughts, for he is good
thinker"
Time passed, and the guests must take
their leave for their city homes. The
ladies kissed each other good-by and Ned
shook hands with Mrs. Gay and Anaie
with the greatest possible composure.
But when Grandpa Brent took him by the
hand, and placing the other tenderly on
his shoulder said: "When you get weary
of the busy world and your cheeks get
pale, come to us, my lad; you will always
find hearty welcome here" Ned turned
pale; the good old mans kindness touched
him deeply.
After they were gone Annie often
wandered to the wood, and would sit there
for hours if no one called her. When her
grandpa found how lonely she was he
would seek her out, and ogether they would
come back hand in hand. She did not re-
gain her cheerfulness, however, and one
day she threw herself into her grand
fathers lap, and, putting her arms about
his neck, sobbed until he was frightened.
She did not repeat it, but followed him
wherever he went and could not bear to
have him out of her sight. Each night
he bowed mis- aged head and prayed for
the guests who had made the summer SO
pleasant, and that the lad might grow
strong and live to bless his mother liz
her declining years. And, with one hand
resting on Annie's golden hair, asked that
she might be spared to lead him gently
gather about him.
AS Annie got no stronger, but grew
paler every day, they decided to have her
trunk was packed and she babe them
gOod-by with so much tenderness that she
left them feeling very sad. But letters
came regularly, and Mrs. Gay and her
father went about as much as possible to
pass the time away.
Some months had passed and Annie
was coming home. Mrs. Gay had the
table spread for tea; her father had gone
to visit sick man who had sent for him,
and she sat down counting the moments.
Presently the door opened and Ann
stood before her. Was it Annie, with
that white, haggered face? Her mother
saw all at glance. She took her in her
arms, and as they sat rocking to and fro
with tears streaming down their faces,
it was a sight to make the angels in
heaven weep. "Oh, mother, if I could
die! I loved him so much! What will
poor grandpa say?" And she swooned
away.
Forgetting herself in her grief for her
father, she Quoted the child and put her
In bed. Closing the door she awaited his
coming. Presently she saw him, and as
he came near and saw Annie's trunk, his
face was radiant, and he hurried up the
walk. One look at his daughters face
and he started back. "What is the mat
teri What is the matter? Has anything
happened to Annie?"
Eyes, father; something terrible, too
terrible has happened to her."
He sank into a chair and wiping the
- L L 4 m
him all. He sprang up to seek her.
''Sit down father. Oh, if 1 could bear
it for you," and she stroked his white hair
tenderly while he was looking up SO be-
seemingly in her face. "Don't you know,
father? How can I tell your"
At length he comprehended her mean
ing, and ga.ped: 'sWho is the villain? ?"
She replied, "Ned Korrgan."
He buried his face in his hands, but did
not speak. Finally, he asked to see the
dear child. Treading gently, lest they
might waken her, they softly entered the
room. Armies eyes were closed, but sae
knew who was there and with shrek
she cried oHt: ooh, grand pa, what will
you do with meP" Unfolding her in his
arms, he said: do with you, my blessed
little lamb? We will love you and take
care of YOU" Strokipg the hair from
the brow of the tired and stricken one,
and assuring her of his great love and
sympathy, he quieted her and she fell
asleep.
He put on his hat, and folding his
hands behind him, as he was won't when
in deep thought, he took the old path
leading into the woods and walked "a Did
ly up and down, until his daughter sought
him. Ten years might have passed over
his head the last few hours, for his face
looked aged and pinched. But he went
silently to the house.
That evening when the hour for prayer
came, Elinor waited; but as the old man
made no move, sitting like a statue, she
said; won't you pray, father?" He
did not kneel, but arose, and, sanding
erect, uttered these words:
Almighty God, for full seventy years
yea, as far back as my memory carries
met have come to Thee in reverential |
spirit. taking the bitter WITH the sweet,
knowing that some discipline is good for |
the human SOUL Always have come be-
fore Thee 10 the spirit Of love, and not |
of fear. To night l can not bend the |